ANTIGO, Wis. - Verizon Online is raising the speed limit in two more Langlade County communities with the introduction of its super-fast digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet access service for consumers and businesses.

DSL has recently been introduced in the Kempster and Springbrook areas of Langlade County. The service has been available since 2002 in the Antigo area.

Last year, Verizon Online supercharged its consumer DSL service by lowering the monthly price, increasing the connection speed and adding MSN software and Web services. The company also expanded its DSL service to an additional 10 million new lines.

"Verizon Online offers an unbeatable combination -- affordable high-speed Internet access, compelling content, great services and MSN Premium," said Richard M. Armstrong, Verizon vice president, public policy and external affairs for Wisconsin. "Our customers can really experience the Internet fast lane to listen to music, play games, shop, work from home or countless other things. We're pleased to bring the benefits of Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium to Kempster and Springbrook."

Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium Consumer Offer

Verizon Online offers DSL connection speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 128Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream for consumers. The first month of DSL is free when ordered online. Consumers have a choice of payment plans for their DSL service:

$34.95 a month for stand-alone DSL service

$29.95 a month as part of a qualifying local and long-distance Verizon package

Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium service includes:

A free do-it-yourself installation kit with a DSL modem

Round-the-clock technical support

MSN Premium software (a $99 annual value)

9 e-mail accounts

10 MB (megabytes) of Web space

MSN Premium packs additional punch with security protection to help stop spam and vanquish viruses. It also includes improved photo-editing and organizing tools and MSN Video. Verizon Online DSL customers can watch streaming video from MSN Premium content partners that include NBC, Showtime, Discovery Communications and NHL.com (National Hockey League). More information about MSN Premium is available at www.verizon.net/betterway.

Customers can be billed for DSL on their monthly Verizon telephone bill or a credit card. The service comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. Local Verizon telephone customers who want to order DSL service or get more information can go online at www.verizon.net or call Verizon at 1-800-PICK-DSL.

Businesses can choose from a variety of DSL speeds and plans to get turbo-charged Internet access service that's tailored to meet the needs of business. Plans and pricing information is available at http://biz.verizon.net/pands/dsl/.

Verizon Online Home Networking

Verizon Online DSL customers can share their high-speed connection and build a firewall by linking multiple home computers with a Linksys wired ($79.95) or wireless router ($99.95). Also, printers, scanners and files can be added to this wireless local area network (LAN). There's no additional monthly charge for networking two or more computers on the same DSL line.

Technical Definitions

DSL service generally is available to homes and offices located within approximately three miles of Verizon's local switching center or "central office." Some technical limitations may interfere with the ability of individual telephone lines to get DSL, even when the lines are within three miles of a DSL-equipped central office.

Downstream and upstream speeds describing Verizon Online's DSL services are maximum connection speeds between the customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds may vary from the maximum speeds and may be lower than the advertised line rate. Throughput (download and upload) speeds will be lower than connection speeds and vary based on the telephone line's condition and distance from Verizon's central office, home or office wiring and the server or router speed of sites visited on the Internet, among other factors.

Verizon Online is a full-service Internet service provider, offering a complete selection of dial-up, DSL and dedicated Internet access services for residential consumers and businesses. Other business-grade services include business e-mail, Web-site services and Internet security services. Verizon Online DSL service is available in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

Verizon Communications

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.